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it's not raining any more,3 said Frans, e and it isn't
cold/ Werendonk sat until long past twelve and
when he was in bed he lay sleepless.
The following evening, at the same time, Floris
rang again ; he seemed to be less timid, and Weren-
donk, who could only walk slowly, followed him until
he saw him go into the kitchen again. Later, he
heard the door on to the yard opened ; he recog-
nised the rapid footsteps on the flags ; he heard,
too, the hinges of the shed creaking. While he was
still listening, Floris appeared suddenly in the par-
lour. * I can't stay yet,' he said almost in a whisper,
* don't ask any questions, there is a time for every-
thing.' And when Werendonk stood up, he shrank
back in fear, his voice was hoarse : c Don't stop me.'
He went down the steps rapidly and at the shop door
Werendonk saw him put his head inside again for a
moment.
An hour later Wouters came in, at the same time
as Frans, to make enquiries, for he had seen the boy
come and go. Werendonk told them of his strange
behaviour. e Don't worry,' said Wouters. * He's
in a terrible state of mind, but he's sure to recover
himself.'
After that Werendonk closed earlier, as soon as
the chiming of the Damiaatjes stopped, and after
he had put out the lamp he saw that Thijs's wife
on the opposite side of the road was standing peeping
through a chink of the blind. He was just about to